The Old Man’s imagination is working overtime. Having been in the French Quarter on King’s Day, we looked for the start of the celebration. Happiness and joy were present. The Old Man spoke with a waitress at the Carousel Bar, who he saw resting momentarily engaged in reflection. She said that she enjoyed the quiet moments, as when Mardi Gras came, it was crazy. It did not stay quiet long. ‘Mardi Gras is celebrated as a final lavish party of feasting before the solemn Christian period of Lent, rooted in ancient pagan spring festivals and adapted by Christianity as ‘Fat Tuesday. It is a time of excess, masks, parades, symbolizing life and abundance before the 40 days of fasting and penance leading to Easter.’

‘Mardi Gras blends European Carnival traditions.’ It has African and Caribbean influences. The French brought us Mardi Gras. Many Christians view Mardi Gras as a period of reflection. This is the last day of eating rich fatty foods before the fasting of Lent.

A good day to empty your larders of rich food. A day to allow joy to swell your heart until it is three sizes larger, like the Grinch when he saw the light. We need a little Mardi Gras in our lives. The French Quarter is a fix that needs repeating. There is an infectious joy and permeating peace. The Old Man saw people joyful and celebrating life and its abundance. No thought of Wall Street nor autocratic government. Pork Pie hats and Limoge Porcelain. Art for Art’s Sake. Music for the sheer exuberant joy of music. Just being in the moment rather than planning for days that may not come.

‘Since I purchased my Pork Pie Hat, I feel like a true member of the French Quarter,’ Billy B proclaimed! ‘The Vieux Carre has become my favorite drink,’ Billy B said with gusto. ‘It is a cocktail made of rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and Bitters,’ Billy B continued. ‘ It was invented by head bartender Walter Bergeron in 1937,’ Billy B smiled as he sipped the magic brew. ‘Vieux Carre means Old Square in reference to the French Quarter,’ Billy B explained with rosy cheeks. ‘ The current Head Bartender told me that the amounts for the Signature Cocktail are 1/2 oz Cognac, 3/4 oz Rye Whiskey, 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth, 1 tsp Benedictine, a dash of Angostura and Peychaud’s Bitters stirred with ice,’ Billy B laughed for joy.